How the Industrial Automation Centre of Excellence Accelerates Smart Manufacturing
Zebra Technologies Corporation, a global leader in digitising and automating frontline workflows, has teamed up with Clearview, a premier industrial automation distributor, to launch the Industrial Automation Centre of Excellence. Located in Oxfordshire, UK, this centre serves as a dynamic hub offering tailored services, training, and practical demos designed to empower manufacturers, logistics providers, and machine vision specialists across the EMEA region.
Tackling Emerging Manufacturing and Logistics Challenges
The modern manufacturing landscape, especially in automotive, battery production, electronics, and semiconductors, faces unprecedented challenges around quality, compliance, and safety. Donato Montanari, VP at Zebra, highlights the urgent need for engineers, machine builders, and integrators to adopt fresh approaches. Technologies like AI and 3D vision are no longer optional—they are essential to gain real-time asset visibility and build intelligent, automated operations that scale for future growth.
Bridging the Technology Adoption Gap
While 54% of European manufacturers see AI as a key growth driver by 2029, a significant 84% struggle with adopting these new technologies effectively. Issues such as maintaining traceability, complying with evolving standards, integrating vast data streams, and ensuring real-time quality control remain persistent barriers. This gap between potential and implementation underscores the importance of dedicated support hubs like this centre.
Upskilling for the Future: Training That Matters
Recognising that nearly three-quarters of manufacturing leaders aim to reskill their workforce, the centre offers comprehensive training—from foundational machine vision concepts to advanced, industry-specific applications. This hands-on learning approach equips frontline engineers with the skills to harness AI and 3D technologies effectively. Moreover, customers can bring real machine vision challenges to the centre and receive unbiased feasibility reports and recommendations, accelerating their innovation cycle.
Fostering Collaboration and Confidence
Beyond technology and training, the centre functions as a vibrant networking platform. By facilitating knowledge exchange, hosting thought leadership events, and connecting machine vision experts with businesses, it fosters a collaborative ecosystem. This collaborative spirit is critical as industries seek to transform technology investments into tangible value and competitive advantage.
Clearview’s Mission to Democratise Machine Vision
Clearview plays a pivotal role in this initiative, with a clear mission to make machine vision accessible and understandable for all customers. Allan Anderson, Clearview’s founder, emphasises the company’s commitment to bridging technology with user expertise through certified professionals, engineering services, and their state-of-the-art centre. Their multi-country presence ensures they support diverse industry needs across Europe.
My Perspective: The Strategic Importance of Centres of Excellence
From my experience as an industrial automation engineer, centres like this are game-changers. They not only shorten the learning curve for new technologies but also reduce implementation risks. The combination of hands-on support, expert advice, and peer networking creates an environment where innovation thrives. Smart manufacturing isn’t just about adopting new tech—it’s about embedding continuous learning and collaboration into the culture, which this centre actively promotes.
